Inhibition of macromolecular synthesis in L1210 mouse leukemia ascites cells by hycanthone.

Hycanthone inhibits macromolecular synthesis in L1210 cells. At the same concentrations of hycanthone, DNA synthesis is inhibited to a greater extent than the synthesis of RNA. There is an inhibition by the drug of the synthesis of ribosomal precursor RNA; the synthesis of other types of RNA including heterogeneous and small-molecular-weight, also appears to be inhibited. Maturation of 45-S RNA does not seem to be affected, and there is a partial reversal of inhibition of both DNA and RNA synthesis by washing the cells free of hycanthone.